|
Art Deco was a popular design movement from 1910 until 1939, affecting the decorative arts such as
This movement was, in a sense, an amalgamation of many different styles and movements of the early 20th century, including
Its popularity apexed during the 1920s.
Although many design movements have political or philosophical roots or intentions, Art Deco was purely decorative.
At the time, this style was seen as elegant, functional, ultra modern.
|
| View of the Charity Hospital building on Tulane Avenue c.1935 (Courtesy Louisiana Digital Library.) |
Corresponding to these influences, Art Deco is characterized by use of materials such as
stainless steel
inlaid wood,
zebraskin.
The bold use of
stepped forms, and sweeping curves (unlike the sinuous, natural curves of the Art Nouveau),
are typical of Art Deco. Some of these motifs were ubiquitous — for example, sunburst motifs were used in such
varied contexts as ladies' shoes, radiator grilles, the auditorium of the Radio City Music Hall, and the spire of the Chrysler Building.
| The Lowich Building (200 block of St. Charles Ave) |
|
| Note also the art deco style office building next door. (Courtesy Louisiana Digital Library.) |
| Marquette Bldg. at Jackson Avenue at St. Charles. |
|
| Six-story art-deco style office building (Courtesy Louisiana Digital Library.) |
This is now the Renaissance Pere Marquette Hotel.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
It was widely considered to be an eclectic form of elegant and stylish modernism, being influenced by a variety of sources.
Among them were
the "primitive" arts of Africa, Egypt, or Aztec Mexico, as well as
These design influences were expressed in fractionated, crystalline, faceted forms of decorative
Other popular themes in art deco were trapezoidal, zigzagged, geometric and jumbled shapes, which can be seen in many
early pieces.
A parallel movement called Streamline Moderne, or simply Streamline, followed close behind. Streamline was influenced by the modern aerodynamic designs emerging from advancing
technologies in aviation, ballistics, and other fields requiring high velocity. The attractive shapes resulting from scientifically
applied aerodynamic principles were enthusiastically adopted within Art Deco, applying streamlining techniques to other useful
objects in everyday life, such as the automobile. Although the Chrysler Airflow design of 1933 was commercially unsuccessful, it provided the lead for more conservatively designed pseudo-streamlined vehicles.
These "streamlined" forms began to be used even for mundane and static objects such as pencil sharpeners and refrigerators.
| Valetone Cleaners: |
|
| Located next door to the Lowich Bldg. (Courtesy Louisiana Digital Library.) |
| Alvar Street Branch Library in the Bywater section |
|
| Courtesy AIArchitect |
|
|
|
|
|
